St. John’s Ice Breakers defenceman and captain Ian Smallwood eludes Nova Scotia’s Liam Stagg (10) as he carries the puck towards the offensive zone during the opening game of the 23rd annual Irving Oil Challenge Cup Atlantic bantam hockey championships at the Mount Pearl Glacier on Thursday. The St. John’s squandered a 3-0 third period lead, losing 4-3.

Nova Scotia scores four times in final stanza to defeat St. John’s in Irving Oil Challenge Cup opener

The St. John’s Ice Breakers, representing Newfoundland and Labrador, started out strong but faded fast in their opening game of the Irving Oil Challenge Cup Atlantic bantam hockey championship Thursday.

At The Glacier yesterday afternoon in Mount Pearl, the Ice Breakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two and half periods, but watched as Nova Scotia roared back with four straight goals and a 4-3 decision in the opening game of the tournament.

Shane Bowers, his team’s player of the game, potted the game-winner. Nick Fewer netted a pair for the winners and Logan Cash scored once. Ice Breakers player of the game Kyle McGrath fired a pair of goals. Matt McKim scored once.

Nova Scotia 8, Tri-Com 1

At least the provincials reps fared better than the host Tri-Com Thunder, who took it on the chin Thursday night.

Goalscorers were unavailable, however the players of the game were Matthew Orman for Nova Scotia and Lucas Osmond for the host club.

New Brunswick 7, P.E.I. 2

Ethan Crossman had a big game for New Brunswick, scoring three times and winning player of the game honours. Damien Robichaud had a pair of goals and singles came from Nathan Denton and Chad Dorion.

Goalscorers for the islanders were unavailable.

St. John’s plays P.E.I. 10 a.m. this morning followed by the host and New Brunswick at 12:30 p.m., P.E.I. and Nova Scotia at 4 p.m. and an all-Newfoundland game between St. John’s and Tri-Com at 7:30 p.m.

St. John’s Ice Breakers defenceman and captain Ian Smallwood eludes Nova Scotia’s Liam Stagg (10) as he carries the puck towards the offensive zone during the opening game of the 23rd annual Irving Oil Challenge Cup Atlantic bantam hockey championships at the Mount Pearl Glacier on Thursday. The St. John’s squandered a 3-0 third period lead, losing 4-3.